Horizon cutting-room links: Monday, 12 August 2025

"Ousted F.D.A. Vaccine Chief Returns to Agency," New York Times

Dr. Vinay Prasad, who recently resigned as the head of the F.D.A. vaccine division under right-wing activist pressure, has been rehired by the agency. His return highlights ongoing political tensions within the Trump administration and the influence of health officials who defend him.

• Dr. Prasad resigned after being targeted by activist Laura Loomer for his critical comments about President Trump and his decisions regarding medication approvals, including a controversial pause on a drug linked to patient deaths.
• His rehiring indicates the influence of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, who defended Prasad against political pressures and appreciated his scientific contributions.
• Prasad’s past actions at the FDA included rejecting drug approvals and calling for stringent examination of vaccines, reflecting his commitment to patient safety and skepticism towards high-cost medications with uncertain benefits.

"Trump Is Removing Billy Long as the I.R.S. Head 2 Months After He Was Confirmed," New York Times

President Trump is set to remove Billy Long from his position as head of the IRS under two months after his confirmation. This decision comes as Long is expected to be nominated for an ambassadorship instead.

• Billy Long, a former Republican congressman and ally of Trump, will be replaced by Acting Commissioner Scott Bessent after just two months in office, following a series of conflicts within the agency.
• Over 25,000 employees have left the IRS during Trump's presidency, marking a significant reduction in staff and contributing to ongoing instability, including the resignation of several acting commissioners.
• Long's appointment was controversial due to his limited background in tax policy, including support for legislation advocating for the abolition of the IRS.

"U.S. Government to Take Cut of Nvidia and AMD A.I. Chip Sales to China," New York Times

Nvidia and AMD will pay the US government 15 percent of their sales from AI chips sold to China. This deal, struck between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and President Trump, opens previously restricted markets.

• Nvidia and AMD are set to pay the US government 15 percent of revenues from AI chip sales to China, a deal negotiated by Jensen Huang and President Trump, who aims to leverage export licenses for financial gain.
• The arrangement could generate over $2 billion for the US government, with Nvidia expected to sell more than $15 billion worth of its H20 chip to China by year-end, while AMD anticipates $800 million in sales.
• The Trump administration's reversal on AI chip sales has faced backlash from national security experts, who argue that it risks enhancing China's AI capabilities at the expense of US technological superiority.

"Trump Weighs Reclassifying Marijuana as Less Dangerous Drug," Wall Street Journal

President Trump is contemplating rescheduling marijuana to a less restrictive classification, following significant financial contributions from cannabis companies his political groups. During a recent fundraiser, he expressed interest in pursuing changes that could ease restrictions on marijuana, easing banking, insurance, and licensing.

• Trump is considering reclassification to Schedule III from Schedule I, which would ease some restrictions while not fully legalizing marijuana, allowing for tax breaks and more medical research.
• The conversation at the fundraiser included influential figures from the cannabis industry, such as Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers, who actively encouraged Trump to pursue these changes for the benefit of the marijuana sector.
• Despite Trump's personal reservations about marijuana, he is interested in issues with broad public support, indicating a strategic approach to align with voter preferences while potentially aiding the cannabis industry’s growth.

"Hegseth Is Honoring Confederate Lies, Not Actual History," New York Magazine

SecDef Pete Hegseth's endorsing the return of the Moses Ezekiel monument to Arlington National Cemetery exemplifies a blind-spot to “Lost Cause” framing, sanitizing (or taking the enslaver’s viewpoint) of slavery and the Confederacy's role in American history.

• Hegseth's announcement of the Moses Ezekiel monument ties into a broader agenda by the Trump administration to restore Confederate symbols.
• The monument's design features mythologized depictions of the Confederacy, including romanticized portrayals of slavery that distort historical truths and contribute to ongoing racial tensions in America.
• Descendants of the monument's sculptor, Moses Ezekiel, have voiced opposition to its placement, arguing for its removal from Arlington in favor of a contextualized display in a museum, highlighting the oppressive history it represents.

"What’s needed to accelerate STIR/SHAKEN progress," RCR Wireless News

As telecom has helped reduce robocalls through more rigorous call authentication through STIR/SHAKEN protocols, a remarkable 84 percent of call traffic among major US telecom providers was verified in early 2025. However, challenges remain, including the need to close gaps in network authentication and address the evolving tactics of fraudsters.

• The TRACED Act has contributed to a notable decrease in robocalls, with nearly half of voice customers reporting unwanted call complaints in the past year, reflecting increased consumer awareness and willingness to report scams.
• Despite the progress, tier 1 carriers have reached a plateau in signed call traffic required for authentication, highlighting the need for improved connectivity and network modernization among smaller carriers.
• The rise of AI technologies poses new threats, as scammers use generative AI to create sophisticated impersonation schemes, making it essential for the telecom industry to develop innovative solutions to combat these emerging tactics.